Esslie the Greater

Ordnance Survey map reference: NO 717916.

Landranger map number: 38.

Latitude: 57.01 degrees.

Longitude: -2.28 degrees.

Architecture: Recumbent SC with internal ring cairn..

Length of the major axis: 25 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 23.3 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 1.52 metres.

Shape: Ellipse.

Number of stones in the circle originally: .

Number of stones in the circle now: 9.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 5

Burl rating of the circle: 3 (Ruined but recognisable ).

Thom reference for the circle: B2/4 Esslie South.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: Sun rise Dec +24.1 (to B2/5), Moon set Dec +18.4.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: 1873.

Details of any finds at this circle: Bone.

This circle is not in state care.

Access to the circle:

The circle lies 150m inside a grass field and is clearly visible from the nearby road. It is possible to park at the road side and access is via a farm gate.

The circle is in a ruinous state but clearly recognisable as a recumbent stone circle. The stones stand within the boundary of a large rock strewn cairn. The recumbent and flankers are small in comparison to some RSC's, 2.8m long and 1.23m high.Only 9 stones can clearly be seen still standing (inc the recumbent), others are difficult to discern as they blend in with the large boulders of the central cairn. The circle is in a ruinous condition and not particularly worth visiting. However it's location affords excellent views in many directions.

Esslie the Greater.

Esslie the Greater has small recumbent and flankers compared with many recumbent stone circles.